November 18 2004

Jol proudly displayed Spurs new defensive tactics

"Viva la revolution!" That was the cry of Martin Jol as Jacques Santini left White Hart Lane on his way back to Lapland for the winter rush, by Matt Amer.

"Viva la revolution" was the cry of Frank Arnesen as he glimpsed the possibility of Spurs once again playing attractive football.

But the revolutionary duo had no time to spare as pretty soon the White Hart Lane crowd, who had dosed off during Spurs last home game, would awake from their boredom-induced slumber expecting some flowing football once more.

By this weekend, gone was the ethos of the lead-lined defence – a back five previously so miserly they made Ebeneezer Scrooge look like the National lottery – and in came attacking football the likes of which have not been seen at the Lane since Ozzie Ardilles’ famed 0-0-10 formation.

So entertaining were Spurs this weekend that one of England’s latest finds, centre back Ledley King, was pulling off crowd-pleasing tricks in his own box with scant regard for the possible danger.

His step over in front of his own keeper and subsequent punting of the ball from Paul Robinson’s hands – clearly a training ground move they’d worked on to show off their new flair – warmed the hearts of the Tottenham faithful as total football returned to its spiritual home. Spurs even scored four goals, each coming from a different player; a remarkable turnaround from Santini’s reign of defensive terror.

Of course, the team on which they chose to try their brand new caution-to-the-wind, gung-ho tactics were the same team who have scored more goals this year than any other and have perfected the art of counter attacking football like no-one else. If ever there was a time for Tottenham to employ an entirely defensive strategy it was against Arsenal.

How Jol turned Spurs dominant defensive unit into a bumbling shambles in just one week is still a mystery, but, on the upside, scientists are now consulting him about the art of reverse alchemy. Still 5-4 wasn’t a bad result really; it’s just not as good as 1-1.

Attacking football is spreading throughout the Premiership. Chelsea, who have, so far this year, scored less than an ugly bloke in a nunnery, managed to knock four past Fulham. The sudden run of goal scoring form has remarkably coincided with Robben, the Boy Wonder, appearing in the first team.

Like his superhero namesake, his lithe athleticism, ability to twist and turn and general quick wit have saved thousands of football fans at Stamford Bridge from the supervillain known as boredom. Rumours that Jose Mourinho now wears a tight rubber Batman outfit before games have yet to be confirmed.

From the sublime to the ridiculous – even Kevin Phillips scored at the weekend! England’s striking saviour of yesteryear, who lost the ability to hit the target back in 1973, managed a goal in the South Coast derby, clinching a win for Steve Wigley.

It was nice for Wiggers to get a result before he is inevitably replaced. El Hadji Diouf has now scored twice in two games, a statistic thought less likely on Merseyside than Emile Heskey staying on his feet for more than five minutes at a time.

And so to Anfield, where 21 men played football while 1 man fell over rather a lot. In a post match interview which the BBC didn’t show, Milan Baros probably said that he learned everything he knew from Emile Heskey, though his ability to score three goals in one season might disprove that. Some consolation for the result can be taken from Joonas Kolkaa’s performance.

Yes, his goal was okay, but we’ve all scored a few like that, haven’t we?! What I’m talking about is his glorious mocking fall after Baros, for the 2,197th time, collapsed like a cheap Jenga set when someone got too close to him. Clearly young Milan was taking notes – while he should have been writhing around in pain – as his second half dives were much more graceful.

The competition for the now coveted ‘most blatant goal line handball of the season’ award is already hotting up. After last week’s Superman style Shaun Bartlett effort, Muzzy Izzet has thrown his hat into the ring.

As the ball rocketed toward Birmingham’s top right corner this weekend, Izzet calmly threw both hands above his head and parried it over the bar. Sadly his topical excuse – “I was being a rocket for firework’s night” just didn’t cut it with the ref, who sent him off for being a week too late.

Email Matt with any of your comments to matthewamer@yahoo.co.uk